Fawsley,
nr Daventry,
Northamptonshire,
NN11 3BA,
GB

Red Review

If left to their own devices, country house hotels can quickly fall into one of a couple of traps: too trad and dowdy, with a chintz-heavy insistence on antiques, bad plumbing and stuffy service; or too city sleek and packed with chi-chi design features (taking the whole point out of a break in the country).

Fawsley Hall manages to nimbly sidestep these pitfalls. Its got the fabulous historical premises (the house dates back to Tudor times and has a vaulted, cathedral-like Great Hall), the snaking gravel drive, the 300 acres of grounds dotted with lakes, and the lovely Capability Brown landscaped gardens.

But its also got more than its fair share of modern niceties. The restaurant, Equilibrium, has a trio of AA rosettes under its belt (but sensibly doesnt insist on a dress code). The Grayshott Spa is also excellent, with a variety of swanky treatments to go with the indoor and outdoor pools and the Nautilus gym. To cap it all off, theres even a screening room which is given over to weekend film nights.

You get to have it both ways in Fawsley Halls 58 rooms, too. The Georgian wing delivers a stay with serious historical heritage  including one room, 1575, in which Queen Elizabeth once spent the night. And then there are the alternatives in Knightly Court for a more muted, less traditional aesthetic.

Highs:

- Stunning antique furniture throughout

- The grounds and Capability Brown gardens

- Enjoying a drink in the cavernous Great Hall

Lows:

- Its just a little light on the complimentary in-room goodies

Facilities & Important Info at Fawsley Hall

Number of rooms: 58

Check-in/check-out times: 3pm and 11am

Room service: Yes

Swimming pool: Yes. Indoor and outdoor pools

Spa: Yes. The Grayshott Spa

Child-friendly: Not especially. Though children are allowed in the restaurant and theres a babysitting service to call on, they might be thought to be shattering the rather grand, hushed atmosphere

Dogs welcome: Yes. In a couple of the ground-floor club rooms

Restaurant & bar: With its three AA rosettes and emphasis on experimental cuisine, Equilibrium is a serious gastro proposition; Besss Brasserie is the place for a quick (and very affordable) bite. For drinks, youve pretty much the run of the place  though the Great Hall is the most atmospheric spot for a pre-dinner drink.

Location: Fawsley Hall is set in the midst of some striking Northamptonshire countryside and surrounded by stately homes such as Boughton House, Sulgrave Manor, Rockingham Par and Althorp Park. For a more 21st century time of it, Bicester Village is about 40 minutes away and Silverstone race track is right on the doorstep.

Distance to nearest train station/airport: Fawlsey Hall is 10-15 minutes in a taxi from Long Buckby train station; alternatively, Northampton train station is a 30-minute cab ride (or drive) away from the hotel. Nearest airport, Luton, is about 50 miles  or an hours drive  away.

Inside Track

Inside track: Fawsley Hall

Best room: 1575: to sleep in the same room as a Queen  and feel like one in a dramatic four-poster bed

Best dish: The roasted loin of rabbit

Insider fact: The Knightley family presided over 500 years of Fawsley Hall history, stretching all the way back to 1416.